title: Direct high-resolution label-free imaging of cellular nanostructure dynamics in living cells.
abstract: We report the application of an optical microscope equipped with a high-resolution dark-field condenser for detecting dynamic responses of cellular nanostructures in real time. Our system provides an easy-to-use technique to visualize biological specimens without any staining. This system can visualize the dynamic behavior of nanospheres and nanofibers, such as F-actin, at the leading edges of adjacent neuronal cells. We confirmed that the nanofibers imaged with this high-resolution optical microscopic technique are F-actin by using fluorescence microscopy after immunostaining the F-actin of fixed cells. Furthermore, cellular dynamics are enhanced by applying noncontact electric field stimulation through a transparent graphene electric field stimulator. High-resolution label-free optical microscopy enables the visualization of nanofiber dynamics initiated by filopodial nanofiber contacts. In conclusion, our optical microscopy system allows the visualization of nanoscale cellular dynamics under various external stimuli in real time without specific staining.
authors.affiliation: Sungkyunkwan University, IBS Center for Integrated Nanostructure Physics (CINAP), Department of Energy Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chaejeong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Sohee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Si Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mun Seok
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Young Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Minah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007365:Intercellular Junctions; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000737:chemistry*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D014404:Tubulin